Columbus Crew sign Brazilian defender Gláuber

The Crew add an experienced defender who has made stops at Manchester City, 1. FC Nürnberg among other teams.

The Columbus Crew have taken a step towards improving its defense by adding Brazilian defender Gláuber on a discovery signing. The 29-year-old defender will join the Crew in preseason training pending receipt of his International Transfer Visa (ITC).

“Gláuber is a world-class international defender who we feel will be a great compliment to Chad Marshall, anchoring our central defense," said Crew President and General Manager Mark McCullers in a written statement. "This was a key priority to improve our team in the offseason and we are excited for him to join the club."

Boasting a wealth of international experience across the highest levels of global soccer, Gláuber joins the Crew from Rapid Bucharest of the Romanian First Division, where he made 46 appearances and scored one goal from 2010-13 across all competitions. The Brazilian-born center back has spent time with top-tier clubs in Europe and Brazil, plying his trade for the likes of Manchester City (Barclays Premier League), 1. FC Nürnberg (German Bundesliga), and Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Clube Atlético Mineiro during his 13-year professional career. Gláuber’s most prolific stint came with German Bundesliga side Nürnberg, where the defender made 51 appearances for the club in three seasons en route to winning the 2007 German League Cup.

“One of our primary goals over the course of this offseason was to shore-up our backline and improve our overall defensive core,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss in the same statement. “Today we added a player that helps us accomplish that goal. Gláuber is a player with strong international pedigree, and he immediately makes us better. We look forward to having him in camp.”

With Italian heritage and dual-citizenship in Brazil and Italy, Gláuber has played one match internationally for the Brazilian National Team. The defender’s lone cap came in a 3-0 victory for Canarinho against Guatemala in a friendly on April 27, 2005.